Copy of a Letter to L. General Fleetwood (who married Bridget, eldest Daughter of O. Cromwell, and Widow of General Ireton,) in the Poff ffion of Mrs. Cook of Newington in Middlefex, Grand Daughter of that General. Deere Charles, Although I doe not foe often (as is defired by me) ac quaint you howe itt is with mee, yett I doubt not of your prayers in my behalfe that in all thinges I may walke as becometh the Gofpell. Truly I never more needed all helps from my chriftian friends than nowe, fayne would I have my fervice accepted of the Saincts (if the Lord will) but it is not foe, beinge of different judgments, and of each fort, moft feekinge to propagate their owne, that spirit of kindneffe that is to them all, is hardly accepted of any. I hope I can fay it my life has beene a willinge a facrifice and I hope is, for them all. Yett it much falls out as when the two Hebrews were rebuked, you know upon whom they turned their difpleafure; but the Lord is wife, and will I truft make manifeft that I am no enemie, Oh how eafy is mercye to bee abused. Perfwade friends with you to be very fober. If the day of the Lord be fo neere (as fome fay) how fhould our moderation appeare. If every one (inftead of contending) would juftifie his forme by love and meekneffe, wildom would be justified of her children, but alas I am in my tentation ready to fay, Oh would I had winges like a dove, then would I, &c. but this I feare is my haft. I bleffe the Lord I have fomewhat keepes me alive fome fparkes of the light of his countenance, and fome fynceritye above mans judgment, excufe me thus unbowellinge my felfe to you, pray for mee and defire my freindes to doe foe alfo, my love to thy deere wife whom indeed I entyerly love, both naturally, and upon the beft account, and my bleffinge (if it be worth any thinge) upon thy little babe. Sr. George Afcough havinge occafions with you defired my letters to you on his behalfe; if hee come or fend, I pray you fhew him what favour you can. Indeed his fervices have been confiderable for the ftate, and I doubt hee hath not been answered with fuitable refpect. Therefore again I defier you, and the commiffioners to take him into a very particular care & helpe him foe farr as iuftice and reafon will any wayes afford. Remember my harty af fections to all the officers. The Lord bleffe you all, Soe prayeth August 22th, Your truly lovinge father, O. CROMWELL. All heere love you, and are in health, your children and all. Communi- The following was taken from the impreffion from a cop cated by Nicolas per plate gilt, found in a leaden canister, lying on the breaft of the corpfe, when the grave and coffin of Oliver Cromwell were broke open by order of the government after the reftoration, in order to have his body hanged up at Tyburn. The plate and canifter were preferved by ferjeant Norfolk, then ferjeant at arms to the houfe of commons, who left it to his only daughter and child Mary, who married Hope Gifford, Efq; J. C. at Colchester, whofe only daughter and child Mary, married Sir Anthony Abdy of Felix-Hall, Effex, near Kelvedon, Bart. who left it to his third wife, by whofe permiffion Dr. Mortimer, S. R. Secr. obtained the impreffion from the original plate in the year 1739. Oliverius Protector Reipublicæ Angliæ, Scotiæ, et Hiberniæ, Natus 25 Aprilis Anno 1599°, Inauguratus 16° Decembris 1653, Mortuus 3° Septembris Anno 1658°, hic fitus eft.' Jan. 30. O. S. "The odious carcaffes of O. Cromwell, H. Ireton, and J. Bradshaw drawn upon fledges to Tyburn, and being pulled out of their coffins, there hanged at the feveral angles of that triple tree till fun fet. Then taken down, beheaded, and their loathfome truncks thrown into a deep hole under the gallowes. Their heads were afterwards fet upon poles on the top of Weftmiufter-Hall. Gefta Britannorum, at the end of Wharton's Almanack for 1663. The The mafon's receipt for taking up the corpfe; from a copy under Dr. Cromwell Mortimer's hand, taken from the original receipt. May the 4th day, 1661, Recd then in full of the ⚫ worshipful ferjeant Norfolke, fiveteen fhillinges, for tak⚫ing up the corpes of Cromell, & lerton & Brafaw. • Rec. by mee John Lewis.' FINIS. |